AO Volunteer of the Month: September 2019

Denton St Lawrence's David Bardsley wins the fourth and final award for the 2019 season

Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that the winner of the September Volunteer of the Month Award is David Bardsley from Denton Saint Lawrence Cricket Club (DSLCC) and the Tameside Cricket Development Group.

The initiative aims to recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made by volunteers at cricket clubs across Lancashire on a monthly basis, culminating in the AO Volunteer of the Year Award which will be announced at this evenings End of Season Awards at Emirates Old Trafford.

David manages and coaches several teams for both DSLCC and the Tameside District, becoming a key figure in the role of providing juniors with the platform to develop their cricketing skills, proving his passion and dedication to the growth of grassroots cricket in the Tameside area.

He plays a leading role in the organisation of the Tameside Cricket Development Group, as well as arranging the indoor cricket leagues for under 9–12s and managing the cricket coaching courses for 7–13 year olds.

David leads on the junior coaching at DSLCC, organising and taking practice for over 100 juniors at the ground every Monday evening during the summer.

Not just content with volunteering throughout the six months of the cricket season, he also spends the winter months facilitating trials and practice for the area’s district teams, as well as taking on a lead coaching role for the sides.

Additionally, David regularly umpires in the Greater Manchester Cricket League at weekends throughout the season and has umpired many of Lancashire Cricket’s up-and-coming talents, including recent England selections in Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood.

Denton Saint Lawrence Cricket Club were awarded a brand new 55-inch 4K TV, courtesy of AO. David was also presented with a special individual prize by Lancashire Cricket player George Lavelle earlier this week.

Upon receiving the award, David Bardsley said: “I was surprised and delighted to get the award. I’m not in it for recognition, I want to keep kids playing and enjoying cricket, and that’s the main thing. They are the future of the sport.

“The playing of the sport is almost secondary. We want to keep them enjoying the game and enthusiastic about cricket.”

The Volunteer Recognition Programme affirms AO’s involvement and commitment to recreational and grassroots cricket in the North West, with Lancashire players awarding winners at their clubs.

David Lawson, Managing Director of AO.com, commented: Huge congratulations to David for receiving this special award. Unsung heroes like him deserve this recognition. I wish David, and all the other recipients of the AO.com Volunteer Recognition Programme the best of luck at tonight’s Awards.

Bolton-based AO.com, the leading online electrical store, has been a partner of Lancashire Cricket since 2015. This includes exclusive naming rights of the hugely popular Family and Community Stand at Emirates Old Trafford, as well as sponsoring the Lancashire Cricket Age Group and Medical Team kit.

Head of Cricket Business and ex-Lancashire captain Warren Hegg said: “We have been lucky to meet four excellent volunteers through the scheme this season and I would like to congratulate David on being nominated for his work at Denton St Lawrence.

“As he rightly points out, juniors are the future of the game and it is great to hear how much emphasis he places on the enjoyment of cricket at that age. He puts a lot of hard work in and is a worthy winner of September’s award.

“I wish all four volunteers the best of luck in Friday’s Volunteer of the Year announcement.”

David is one of four AO Volunteers of the Month selected throughout the 2019 season, with a Volunteer of the Year to be named at Lancashire’s End of Season Awards evening this Friday.